Fort Mason: Established in 1851 as part of a line of army forts from the Rio Grande to the Red River to open new areas and provide protection for settlers. A training ground for generals.

Gene Zesch's Woodcarving Exhibition

Historic Mason County Courthouse: Downtown Mason, Greek Revival style set on a rare 'Double Block' Courthouse Square (two sides are two blocks long), one of the few in the State of Texas.

Mason County Historical Museums

Odeon Theater: Restored historic theater. One movie at a time.

Sandstone Cellars Winery & Mason County Vineyards: An insightful boutique winery just off the town square in Mason. Tasting room.

Seaquist Victorian Mansion: Built of sandstone, this 22-room house is elaborately detailed with carved limestone.

Topaz Hunting: Topaz is the official Texas state gem. Colorless and light-blue varieties of topaz are found in Precambrian granite in the vicinity of Streeter in Mason County (per TSHA). Topaz is not produced commercially. Rockhounders should contact Wesley Loeffler, Menard Route, Mason, TX 76856, 325-347-6415, or stop at Nu-Way Grocery (on the NW corner of the Square), Country Collectibles on US-87 N, Benjie's Books & Gifts, or Underwood's Antiques, who offer cut and mounted stones and local hunting advice. See Gray's Blog, and Mason Gems

Llano River: Mason County's largest public outdoor resource. Offers river-front lodging, camping, fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, tubing and other types of river recreation. This beautiful treasure has historic significance in the development and life of this area, and continues as a vibrant source of tourism and local recreation.

HISTORY: Handbook of Texas Online: "It grew up around Fort Mason, established in 1851, although some settlers were already in the area before that date. One of the first, William S. Gamel, is thought to have arrived around 1846. Peter Birk and Henry Hick were among the first German settlers who moved west from Fredericksburg. Near the site of present Mason is Gamel Spring, where John O. Meusebach is thought to have signed a treaty with Comanche Chief Ketemoczy in 1847. The area was a favorite Indian campsite, and Gamel Spring was later used as a source of water by Fort Mason. Early settlers gathered around the fort, attracted by the opportunities for employment and protection from Indian attacks. Other settlers were soldiers from the fort whose terms of enlistment had expired. A sutler's store and blacksmith shop formed the nucleus of the early town when they were moved from the actual fort on Post Hill to the nearby community of Mason.

Shortly after the fort was occupied, mail service was established from San Antonio to Mason, and then on to the west. Supplies were also shipped from San Antonio by mule wagon. The Fort Mason post office, one of the county's first, was established three miles from the fort in March 1858 by George W. Todd. The name was changed to Mason in June of that year, and the office was eventually moved into the town itself. One of the first stores in Mason was a picket building erected by W. C. Lewis, who sold ammunition, groceries, and whiskey to soldiers and settlers. A second store was opened around 1860 by James E. Ranck, known as the "father of Mason" because of his efforts to develop the town and draw settlers to the area. He and Ben F. Gooch bought 5,000 acres of nearby land to lease to sharecroppers for cotton growing. In March 1861 the fort was surrendered to Confederate authorities, but it remained virtually unmanned during the Civil War, except for local militia and rangers. During the war years settlers suffered severe Indian attacks, and most of the families in the area congregated in or near the fort for protection. Mason was made the county seat by election on May 20, 1861. In 1866 the fort was reoccupied by federal troops, and there was a resurgence of settlers into the area. The federal government built the first telegraph line in the county through Mason to the western forts; the line was made available to the public until 1868, when the fort was permanently abandoned. When the fort was deserted, both during and after the Civil War, nearby residents appropriated equipment and building materials to use in Mason, until eventually almost all traces of the installation had disappeared. An election was held confirming Mason as county seat, on August 26, 1869, and land within the town was donated for county purposes on July 13, 1870, by William and Caroline Lockhart and John and Kate Gamel.

Shortly after the Civil War a stage route and mail line was established through Mason from San Antonio to El Paso. A picket house built by S. F. Lace Bridges served as the earliest hotel. Bridges later built the Mason House, a popular stage stand and hotel for a number of years. During the post-Civil War period, beef was so cheap that cattle were killed for their hides, and the Ranck store became a center of the hide trade. Shortly after, the demand for meat in the eastern and northern markets caused prices to soar, and by the 1870s Mason was the nucleus of a thriving ranch economy.

Early schools were taught by William Poffard at the home of W. C. Lewis, and by Mrs. Lizzie McGuire in the Mason House hotel. James Ranck and John Lemburg built a mill and gin on Comanche Creek sometime before 1870, which burned in 1890. By 1869 the first stone residences were built in Mason; by 1890 nearly all the buildings were of stone. The first county courthouse and a jail were built in 1869. Previously, court proceedings had been held under an old live oak tree near the town well on the northeast corner of the town square. In 1882 the jail was replaced, and again in 1984. The courthouse and all the county records burned on January 21, 1877; a new building was completed by 1878.

The oldest church in Mason was probably the Lutheran church organized on February 15, 1872, by Rev. H. Huber; shortly thereafter a building was erected that served as church and school. The Baptist church was organized that same year, and within the next decade numerous other churches of various denominations were established. One of the oldest church buildings surviving into the twentieth century was the Catholic church, built in 1876. James Kibbee and W. S. Vickery published the first newspaper, the Item or News-Item, beginning in 1877. V. N. Loring took it over in 1886 and renamed it the Mason News. Eventually it became the Mason County News, which was still being published in the mid-1980s. A drought in 1887 was so severe that the county had to apply for state aid to assist destitute citizens, but the town's economy suffered no permanent decline. The town's first bank was organized by F. W. Henderson; it later became the first National Bank of Mason. Anna Martin became the first woman bank president in Texas when she founded the Commercial Bank in July 1901; this bank was still in operation as of 1977.

In 1900 an entire row of buildings on the north side of the public square burned, including the post office and a number of businesses. This event encouraged the organization, on September 19, 1900, of the first Mason volunteer fire department, which continued into the mid-1980s. The courthouse was replaced in 1909. In December 1902 the first telephone in the county was installed in the county judge's office in the courthouse. Public utilities were slow to develop in Mason, but the first electric light plant was in operation by 1898, providing limited services, and the West Texas Utilities Company began providing electricity in 1925. Periods of drought during the 1940s and 1950s caused public utilities to boom as the town shifted from the use of private wells to a municipal water system.

In 1923 Mason was the largest town in Texas without a railroad, despite numerous attempts over the years to get one. After the increase of automobile use and the development of the Puget Sound-to-the-Gulf Highway, the need for a railroad was minimized, and by the 1930s a number of highways ran through the town. On July 5, 1951, the live oak tree that stood in the town square where the old town well had been had to be removed to prevent interference with traffic. By the 1970s the Mason County Airport, located three miles southeast of town, served the community. All of the rural schools in the county were consolidated with the Mason schools in 1946. This and the development of improved farm roads caused much of the population to concentrate in the county seat. In 1945 Mason incorporated, after several previous attempts, partly in order to build and operate its own electrical system. The Mason Memorial Hospital was opened in 1949 and provided medical services to the entire county.

For most of its history Mason has been primarily a ranching community. Because of the great interest in agriculture, the 4-H Club and other agricultural organizations have been a major concern of both town and county. In 1907 the Mason Business Men's Club was organized; it became the Mason Chamber of Commerce on June 1, 1925. The Maverick Club, which became the Junior Chamber of Commerce in December 1935, organized the Mason County Fair Association, which manages the fair park, established in 1938 and located southeast of town on the San Antonio highway. The annual Mason County Fair and Rodeo draws tourists from all over the state. Mason also attracts many hunters, fishermen, and campers in season. Tourist attractions include the Sequist Mansion, built in the late 1880s by E. M. Reynolds and opened to the public in January 1975; the Mason Bat Caves; and the Fort Mason Museum, which consists of the old officers' quarters restored by the Mason County Historical Society and dedicated in July 1976. The Old Grammar School was renamed the Historical Building and has since housed the county library, a museum, and county offices. The historic Gamel Spring nearby was being used to feed the town swimming pool.

Mason has been the largest town in Mason County for most of its history. Since 1900 its population has generally ranged between an estimated 1,200 and 2,000 people; the 1982 population was 2,153. The town is the center of the county for business, education, and social life. In 1990 the population was 2,041. The population grew to 2,134 in 2000."

Frederick Benjamin Gipson was born in 1908 near Mason. He worked for the San Angelo Standard-Times and then the Denver Post. Gipson is probably best known for the story of "Old Yeller" (and "Savage Sam" and other favorites). He is remembered with an historical display and statue at Mason Square Museum. See listings below for details. Article

MASON MOUNTAIN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA: 325-347-5037; Mason, TX 76856. Web MMWMA was a working exotic game ranch before TPWD acquired it in 1997. Today, 14 species of resident exotics provide excellent opportunities to study the effects of African ungulates on local habitat, and interactions between exotic and native wildlife. Dedicated to research concerning the ecology of the Central Mineral Region, and its application to wildlife management on private lands. Hunting by special permit is allowed. Located 10 mi N of Mason off US-87. Web. Facebook. Also see our Portal Focus Topic page on Hill Country Lakes & Parks

FORT MASON: 325-347-5758; 204 W Spruce St, Mason, TX 76856. Located on top of "Post Hill", just blocks from the Courthouse Square. Established in 1851 as part of a line of army forts from the Rio Grande to the Red River to open new areas and provide protection for settlers. A training ground for generals. Was Robert E. Lee's last command post in US Army. During the Civil War, the Confederacy controlled the fort, but it remained virtually unmanned. Families often sought shelter and protection within its walls during frequent Indian raids. Visitors can explore the reproduced officers' quarters that includes 3 rooms furnished as in 1861 and a display room full of interesting history on the Fort. Self-guided, open 24/7, free. Included in the Texas Forts Trail. Map. Web1; Web2; Web3

MASON COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM: 325-347-0507; Brings history alive with displays from prehistoric times to current ranching and banking. View period events: Mason County War, establishment of Fort Mason (a training ground for generals), and finding largest topaz in North America. Learn about Robert E Lee's command, John Meusebach's treaty with the indians, Fred Gipson, author of "Ole Yeller" and Johnny Ringo's part in the Mason County War, listed as one of the top ten feuds in Texas. Gift Shop includes sale of surplus memorabilia. Free admission, non-profit organization, donations appreciated.Two locations: Mason County Memorial Museum: 210 Bryan (NE corner of Moody & Bryan), Mason, TX 76856. Located 2 blocks S of Courthouse, contains the bulk of the Museum's collection. Museum on the Square: 130 Ft McKavitt St (N side of square). A newer and more compact version of the main Museum, but with unique exhibits. Email: info@masonsquaremuseum.org. www.masonsquaremuseum.org

Note: Also see historic Fort Mason and the Seaquist Mansion below.

NON-PROFIT, PUBLIC SERVICE & SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

AMERICAN LEGION: www.legion.org. A congressionally chartered mutual-aid organization of military veterans founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime.
Local Legion Post #285: 325-347-9016; 237 Post Hill St, Mason, TX 76856

BOY SCOUTS: www.scouting.org. A non-profit organization that provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness. Local Boy Scout Troop: 590, 325-347-5390

COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES (CASA): Texas CASA. A non-profit organization with adult volunteers willing to stand up for an abused or neglected child. A CASA volunteer is appointed by a judge to provide factual information to the court on behalf of a child caught in a difficult legal process. A CASA speaks on behalf of the child’s best interest.Local: Bluebonnet CASA, 325-347-6474; 205 N Live Oak, Mason, TX 76856. www.bluebonnetcasa.org, Facebook. Counties served: Edwards, Kimble, Mason, McCulloch, Menard

ECKERT JAMES RIVER BAT CAVE PRESERVE: 325-347-5970. Open May-Oct, Thur-Sun, 6-9p, Visit one of the largest Mexican free-tailed bat colonies known. 17 mi SW of Mason. See full details at: Bats & Caves

GIRL SCOUTS: www.girlscouts.org. A non-profit organization that provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness. Local: Girl Scout Troop, 325-347-6824

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: https://www.habitat.org. A nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry that builds a decent place to live with people in need regardless of race or religion. Welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds. Local: Mason County, 325-347-9591; POB 945, Mason, TX 76856. Committed To Building One House Every Year Since 2002! Facebook

HILL COUNTRY COMMUNITY ACTION ASSOCIATION: 325-347-6242; 9505 Moody, Mason, TX 76856. www.hccaa.com. Dedicated to providing opportunities and resources to improve the lives of Central Texans. Promote the reduction of poverty, the revitalization of low-income communities, and the empowerment of families and individuals in our service area to achieve economic self-sufficiency and maintain personal independence. Serves counties of: San Saba, Mills, Llano, Mason, Bell, Coryell, Hamilton, Lampasas and Milam

LIONS CLUB: www.lionsclubs.org. A volunteer-based, non-profit, community service organization that aggressively works to donate back to the community to support local, regional, national and international needs. Mission is to empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs. Local: Noon Club: 325-347-5966; Rob Hofmann, meets Tue noon at Nacho's Cafe, 621 Ft McKavitt

MASONIC LODGE: Web. A fraternal organization that promotes Freemasonry, which includes charitable work within a local or wider community, moral uprightness, and friendship.Local: Masonic Lodge, 325-347-5683; 204 Spring St. Mason, TX 76856-1306. Chartered June 15, 1864. Meets: 3rd Tue, 7:30p

(THE) NATURE CONSERVANCY: 800-628-6860; www.nature.org. The leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.
Local: 325-347-5970; 2780 TX-29, Mason, TX 76856

ODEON THEATER: 325-347-9010; 122 S Moody, Mason, TX 76856. On The Square, downtown. Live musical entertainment from well-known performers. First-run movies in the new digital format. Built in 1928 and is West Texas' longest running theater. The movie "Old Yeller", written by Mason native Fred Gipson, premiered here in 1957. See schedule at www.theodeontheater.comOdeon Preservation Association: 325-347-5911

(REYNOLDS) SEAQUIST VICTORIAN MANSION: 512-352-6415;400 Broad St, Mason, TX 76856. www.seaquist.org. Facebook. Built of sandstone, this 22-room, 15 fireplace house is elaborately detailed with carved limestone.Built in the late 1880s by E. M. Reynolds. Historical marker.Admission fees. Tours: Mar-Dec, 1st Sat, 10a-4p
Seaquist House Foundation: 501c3 non-profit. Goal is to preserve and restore this architectural Victorian masterpiece to its former glory and encourage tourism to the area. Volunteers and donations of funds and materials welcome.

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY HERITAGE ASSOCIATION: 325-347-6683; POB 941, Mason, TX 76856. http://thcha.org. Supports the social welfare and economic well-being of Mason County and the surrounding Texas Hill Country by protecting private property rights and the environment through research, education, publications and programs; to identify pertinent community issues; inform the public and motivate citizens to respond; and to encourage and enhance the role of local governments.

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS (VFW): www.vfw.org. A congressionally chartered organization that works on behalf of American veterans by lobbying Congress for better veterans' health care and benefits; and maintains a nationwide organization of employees and volunteers to assist veterans with their VA disability claims; and donates millions of dollars and hours for community service.
Local VFW Post: #8554, Melvin Eckert Post, 325-265-4226; 236 Post Hill, Mason, TX 76856. http://myvfw.org/tx/post8554, Facebook. Meets 2nd Mon 6:30p

Note: Churches, museums, schools and some other non-profits are listed on this page in their own separate category.

Note: For county-wide non-profits, public service & social service organizations, see: Mason County

BUDDY’S ANIMAL RESCUE: 325-970-0822; Mason, TX 76856. Mission is to care for and protect adoptable, homeless pets, to ensure their health and socialization and prepare each pet for its future home. They accept adoptable animals from shelters; they do not accept owner-surrendered or abandoned pets. They rescue pets as their last chance before euthanasia in order to place them with a temporary foster until a permanent adopter can be found. http://buddysanimalrescue.org, buddysanimalrescue@gmail.com